... more commencement photos

Faculty lead in the first candidates from Kettering's master's of science degree in Manufacturing Operations at General Motors.

Faculty lead in the first candidates from Kettering's master's of science degree in Manufacturing Operations at General Motors. The program was developed in 1998 as a partnership between GM and Kettering to meet the needs of GM's manufacturing workforce. The grads are: Michael Scott Courter, Oxford, Mich.; Brian A. Fenner and Mark Witkiewicz, both of Moraine, Ohio; Mary Paine, Lapeer, Mich.; Derreous Ransom, Auburn Hills, Mich.; and Alan Jakubczak, Bay City.

Dean Kamen, who is considered by many to be the Thomas Edison of our generation, spoke with media prior to commencement about his Segway HT, which had been unveiled on national television earlier in the week. The Segway HT weighs 80 pounds and has a range of 11 miles, 250 pounds payload and 75 pounds cargo. It features five gyroscopes.

President James E.A. John opened commencement ceremonies congratulating the graduates for completing their academic endeavor and encouraging them to continue to pursue personal excellence.

The Dec. 7 commencement was the largest winter graduating class at Kettering University. More than 1,500 people attended the ceremony, with around 1,200 staying for the holiday fare at dinner following.